Deciding to Age Gracefully

Marking another birthday and coming to terms with the aging process.  

I've chosen--for the most part--to age gracefully.  That is to say, I'm not going to resort to surgical measures to change what nature has in store for my face.  So bring on the wrinkles, the sagging, the crepes--I'm going au naturale.  

But this does not include gray hair!  My mom was still coloring her hair at 97, so I guess, if I'm lucky, I will be too.  I think gray hair can be beautiful on some--but it takes a warm skin tone and a great cut.  While my white hair on pink skin might be a good look on mice--it's not for me!

I do partake in a couple needles between the eyebrows periodically to release my face from its natural scowl.  But otherwise, I'm going to let genetics and gravity take its course.  No knives for me.  I have a friend who looked great after what sounds like a tortuous recovery.  But I'm afraid to lose the crinkles at the corners of my eyes and mouth.  Those are the lines that show I laugh a lot, enjoy life, and have lived this long.  They are me expressing myself.

No one escapes time.  I don't ignore it, but I don't want to fight it either.  I believe in maintenance, and putting in the effort to make the most of what we have.  I buy good, not-too expensive face products.  But I'm pretty basic, I don't spend a lot of time on lengthy routines.  And I wear less makeup as I've gotten older.  The Oregon lifestyle encourages (or excuses) that.  I guess I'm embracing a more natural look.    

But all that is surface beauty.  Inner calm is what I strive for.  The older you get, the more you get to know and understand yourself.  And if you're lucky, you accept and appreciate yourself--the good and bad, strengths and weaknesses, past and present.  You're fortunate if you see an old friend in your mirror--you've been through a lot together!  With life experiences and age, we gain clarity and perspective.  And hopefully contentment.  And with that comes an inner radiance.  That in turn lights up your face.  Smiles come easily.  And let's face it, smiles are beautiful!

As far as what the world sees--as disheartening as it may be to realize--no one really looks at or cares about the flaws we see in ourselves.  It's what we project to the world that makes an impression--our confidence and serenity with where we are in this life.  It's that smile in our eyes that lets people know we're glowing on the inside.